The Luckiest Man of the Moment

You probably know Kris Humphries best from the high-profile fiancée he happens to tote on his arm. (That would be Kim Kardashian, and you would be jealous.)

But before the tabloids came calling back in May—when he planted a big, fat 20.5-carat ring on Kim’s finger—Humphries was fresh off a breakout season as a power forward with the New Jersey Nets, posting career highs in points and rebounds per game. The 8-year pro may not have a winning record to show for his heroics—the Nets finished 24-58—but he made plenty of highlight reels last season, reminding fans why he was drafted 14th overall by the Jazz in 2004. (More from MensHealth.com: Take the NBA Fitness Test.)

Sure, it took Humphries a few extra years to make good on his initial promise as a player, but that’s the way the 26-year-old Minneapolis native rolls: Steady, deliberate, and keen on turning his past mistakes into future gains. It’s the same mentality he uses in his life outside basketball, helping his parents operate several fast-food franchises in Minnesota and running his own eponymous foundation.

So what does it take to be a full-time athlete and a budding businessman? Men’s Health caught up with Humphries for his tips on how you can balance work (in the boardroom and the gym) with play (in the paint and by the pool) to achieve total success. (As for wooing your own Kardashian? Start by reading how to Seduce Any Woman in the World.)

Men’s Health: How are you spending your summer? Do you continue to train as hard as you do when you’re in season?

Kris Humphries: I’ve been spending time doing things other than basketball. I do a lot of mixed martial arts in Miami, where I spend much of the summer. It’s good 'cause it’s very aggressive, but totally different from your typical basketball workout. We practice a lot of jujitsu stuff and boxing techniques from different forms of fighting. I really think MMA training is great for what I do. Basketball is a sport where there’s a lot of skill involved, but you also have to be really aggressive at times, like when you’re driving the ball to the basket, trying to get a rebound, and blocking a shot. A lot of the stuff in MMA is based around explosiveness, all while being aware of your surroundings and who you’re playing against. I think it’s helped me in my basketball just in terms of being more aggressive. It gives you confidence, knowing that you can fight a little bit, you know? (More from MensHealth.com: Georges St-Pierre's UFC Workout.)

MH: How did your family get involved in owning and running multiple Five Guys restaurants?

KH: This was back when the economy was questionable. We were all sitting around thinking of businesses to invest in, and I remembered a former coach of mine when I was in Toronto who owned a bunch of Wendy’s franchises. He was always telling me to get involved in fast food, so my parents did the due diligence and looked into all the different franchises, and we found our fit in Five Guys. It was new at the time, and the food is always prepared fresh—they don’t have freezers, and all they make is burgers, fries, and beef hot dogs. We felt like they really perfected that kind of niche in the market. (See if Five Guys makes the grade in Eat This, Not That!)

Obviously my involvement in the franchises is not as high as my parents, but I’m still involved in all the operations. They keep me filled in with every move they make, and I’ll go in during the summer, work a little bit, and do all the training I need so when the day comes and I’m no longer playing basketball, I can fully handle the business. Any time you’re running a business, you have to first know what it’s like on the inside for all the other workers.

MH: As for your own foundation, you do a lot of work in local communities trying to fight childhood obesity. Why is that such an issue to you?

KH: Not all kids can have their parents be around all the time. I was fortunate enough to have a very active family, and as a result, I was very healthy growing up. We’re just trying to get the message across that you need to do things active, and eat well, and try not to let yourself get to the point where you’re really overweight. It’s just sad to see kids that have health issues like heart disease at such a young age, and it’s increasing. (More from MensHealth.com: The 10 Rules of Kids' Fitness.)

MH: Did you always plan on working to become an entrepreneur?

KH: I think so. My dad’s a very smart businessman. He was a stockbroker for a number of years, and then he started trading, so just watching him have the freedom to do what he wanted was a big inspiration to me. So when I’m done playing basketball, I ultimately want to be my own boss. I’m not my own boss right now in the NBA, so one day I hope to have that freedom.

MH: Are there any lessons you've learned that you feel every businessman should know?

KH: Being involved in fast food means that you get to see people from all different walks of life. And when you have a lot of employees underneath you, you have to deal with all of these different personalities, and that’s definitely a challenge. Know that it's almost like you have kids at times. Being a boss isn’t always as easy people think. (More from MensHealth.com: Get Along with Your Coworkers.)

MH: How can we juggle other hobbies or businesses with our actual jobs and social lives?

KH: Luckily, training and playing basketball is fun for me. But you absolutely have to balance your job in there, too. Sometimes it’s really busy working with my foundation, and at Five Guys, plus I’m a partner in some of the investment businesses my dad has. So that’s a lot. But it kind of gets to the point where I’ll say, “OK, I have to get the most out of my days, so how do I do that?” Maybe that means not staying up as late at night, and knowing that you have to work hard during the day. As long as you can be really efficient, you’ll also make time for fun.

Want more must-have fitness and style tips from the pros? Check out Men’s HealthCelebrity Fitness.

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